Chapter Fifty Eight
Third–Person POV
The golden rays of sunset stretched long shadows of empty swings on Saint Ambrose’s International Preschool’s playground. Bonnie sat alone, scuffing her shoes in the sand while everyone else left with their parents except her. Lily pursed her lips as she watched the girl.
“Four days last week and it looks like today won’t be any different.” She tutted under her breath.
She sighed and redialed Vanessa’s number, but the response was what she expected–endless ringing. She tried Damien’s again, but it was the same.
No one was coming for Bonnie.
“That poor girl is going to be here till dark again, isn’t she? Rachel, one of the other kindergarten teachers, asked.
Lily nodded, tapping her phone against her chin.
“Why don’t you bring her to the reading corner? I’m still waiting for a student to be fetched, so at least she won’t look so pitifully lonely.”
“How about I leave her with you and I go home at a decent time?” Lily asked, only half joking.
“Fat chance.” Her colleague laughed as she returned to the reading corner.
Lily sighed and walked over to the rocking horse Bonnie sat on. She smiled pleasantly and crouched down to eye level.
“There’s a girl from the other class who’s waiting to be fetched too. Can we go sit with her so she isn’t lonely?” Bonnie glanced up and thought for a bit. Then she stood, wincing as she walked lifelessly to the reading corner. Lily felt a pang of worry–she’d noticed Bonnie withdrawing in the past few weeks, but in class that day she seemed a shell of her former self. Something had to be done
Rachel was waiting with a bright smile for them.
“Hi, Bonnie! Thank you for coming to sit with us.” She said, then gestured to the dark–haired girl with her. “This is Molly and I’m Miss Rachel.”
Molly stood excitedly. “Hello! Do you want to read with me?”
Bonnig nodded tentatively and joined her on the bench. The teachers stood aside, chatting quietly as Molly pointed to different things in her book.
“I like your earrings.” Bonnie said shyly.
“Thank you!” Molly touched them, smiling. “My aunt made it just for me–she’s the best designer ever.”
The pink necklace her mother had made her popped into Bonnie’s mind. She shook the image out of her mind and changed the topic.
The two girls chatted amiably as the time ticked by.
Lily checked her phone. It was ten minutes until closing time and neither Damien nor Vanessa had bothered to message or call back.
- 13.
+25 BONUS
Chapter Fifty Eight
Rachel’s face lit up. “Sorry, Lily, It looks like you’re going to be waiting with Bonnie alone again.”
Lily raised an eyebrow–she didn’t sound too sorry. She turned to watch a well put together woman walk through the entrance with a friendly smile.
“Good evening.” Celeste greeted, holding out the pickup card. “I’m here to fetch Molly.”
Rachel checked the card, relieved, as Celeste pulled out a thermos and a lunchbox from her tote. A moment later, Molly had flung herself at the startled woman and hugged her enthusiastically.
“Auntie Celeste!” She squealed with delight.
Celeste hugged her back tightly.
“How was school, Molly? You didn’t get into any fights, did you?” She teased as she kneeled to fix the girl’s collar.
She shook her head solemnly, pigtails bouncing.
“Fighting is bad, Auntie Celeste.” Then she smiled and rushed over to a bench. “But I have a surprise!”
When Celeste looked up, her heart stopped.
“This is Bonnie, my new friend!” Molly giggled, holding her friend’s hand.
Bonnie wrenched her hand away and folded her arms.
“Everything checks out.” Rachel said. “You can take Molly home now.”
Celeste glanced at her, slightly flustered.
“Thank you. I’ll just say hello to my daughter before I leave.”
Both teachers‘ eyebrows shot into their hairlines.
“Are you Celeste, Bonnie’s mother?” Lily asked, surprise coloring her voice. “I’m Bonnie’s teacher. We spoke on the phone.”
“Lily, right? It’s nice to meet you in person.” Celeste held out a hand. “Yes, I’m Bonnie’s mother.”
Before the teacher could shake her hand, Bonnie harrumphed bitterly.
Celeste glanced at her, emotions in turmoil. She handed Molly the lunchbox and thermos, then took a steadying breath as she approached her daughter.
“Hi, Bonnie.” She said carefully.
The gift turned away, shifting her skirt. Celeste’s breath hitched when she saw the blood crusted bandages on her knees.
“Oh honey, your poor knees.” She said, voice welling with emotion. “Does it hurt?”
Bonnie nodded, tears pooling in her eyes.
Celeste yearned to embrace her, but held herself back–she didn’t want to upset her daughter more.
“Here Bonnie, your mommy made this.” Molly said, holding out a cookie, crumbs around her mouth. “My uncle Ry–Ry says eating something sweet always makes you feel less sad.”
Bonnie swatted it away, pouting stubbornly.
“I want at that grocs thing!” She huffed
Chapter Fifty Eight
+25 BONUS
“Wasting is bad.” Molly frowned, brows creased in puzzlement. “Why won’t you eat your mommy’s cookie? It’s a gazillion times yummier than the kindergarten ones.
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Celeste knew the answer before Bonnie opened her mouth.
“That woman is not my Mommy!” she screamed, pointing at Celeste and shattering her heart into a thousand pieces. (2
+25 BONUS
Chapter Fifty Nine
